The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right knee is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and no higher. The evidence shows that the Veteran has flexion limited to 130 degrees with mild functional limitations.,The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and no higher. The evidence shows that the Veteran has forward flexion limited to 85 degrees, extension limited to 20 degrees, and minimal functional limitations.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a finding of more than moderate limitation of motion for the right knee, which is already rated as 10 percent disabling under DC 5260. The Veteran's symptoms are described as pain on movement without joint instability or radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Arthritis of the Right Knee, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Traumatic Arthritis of the Left Ankle, Heel Spur Syndrome of the Right Foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2013
- Citation
- 1307593
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1307593.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to inadequate examination report.
- Granted
The reduction of the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disability ratings from 40% to 20% was improper, and the prior ratings are restored.
- Denied
The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied. The Board also found that TDIU was granted as of January 16, 2010, but not earlier.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
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